The Sidney Classical Orchestra’s final show of the year will be a mix of new works and classical favourites.
The show, Strings and Springs, is on Friday, May 19 at the St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Church, 10030 Third St., Sidney. The concert will feature English string orchestral music and concertos of the Baroque and Classical era.
“This is a very exciting concert for me personally because of the premiere of my new concerto for two cellos, The Big Twin. It is an exciting work that requires a virtuosic performance from the soloists,” says conductor Stephen Brown. “It is full of melody, so hopefully folks will want to be there. After all, how often does one get to go hear a brand new piece?”
The program for the evening also features two Vivaldi string symphonies, and works by R. Vaughan Williams and F. Mendelssohn, along with an alumni of the Victoria Conservatory of Music and Camosun College, Leslie Opatril.
“It’s a very well rounded program,” says Brown. “(People) can expect a delightful evening with pieces ranging from light music to some quite serious pieces … We’re at the church and we play in a big horseshoe so everyone gets a good seat.”
The concerts are informal and typically draw crowds of around 200.
“We’re very happy to still be in existence in Sidney for 24 years … it’s a wonderful community to make music for,” Brown says.
Strings and Spring starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 for adults, $13 for students or free at the door for those 19 and under.